Ronnie O'Sullivan, a winner of three titles all before Christmas, slumped to a 6-2 defeat against a rejuvenated Jimmy White in the Benson & Hedges Masters. Over 2,500 fans packed Wembley Conference Centre to witness this clash of the titans - the venue's biggest crowd since 1983 for a match other than the final.
O'Sullivan, who has been treated for depression over the last 18 months, started off in fine style against his snooker pal. A break of 101 gave him the first frame but by the time he enjoyed his only other success White was only one away from a quarter-final head-to-head with Stephen Hendry. Londoner White, whose only Masters win came in 1984, briefly looked to have problems clinching another excellent victory. But he got his chance in frame eight and rolled in a 117 break to round off proceedings. It's the second consecutive match White has knocked in a century in the final frame following his tournament 136 against Joe Swail last Sunday.
Filed by Pat Nugent
